Confessions of a Non-Visual-Spatial Learner

It's a curious phenomenon that whatever you can do easily, you think must be just as easy for other people. So you fail to appreciate your own gifts. For you visual-spatials, this essay clearly demonstrates that not everybody thinks like you. Me, for instance.

Once, when I was running late for work (this could be ANY day I worked...), I noticed that I was too low on gas to make it. So I stopped at the Amoco Station at the corner, drove up to the right side of the pump, got out of the car, noticed that the gas tank was on the other side, got back in the car, drove around to the other side of the pump, got out of the car, noticed that the gas tank was on the other side, got back in the car, drove around to the other side of the pump again, got out of the car, noticed that the gas tank was on the other side, saw the guys inside the gas station falling off their chairs, got back in the car, and drove 30 miles on an empty gas tank because I was too embarrassed to get the gas. I am not a visual-spatial learner.

There's more. I like shoulder pads. They make me look less pear-shaped. I have a red silk blouse that has been hanging in my closet for at least 8 or 9 years that needed shoulder pads. I finally found the perfect shoulder pads, but I was nervous about my ability to sew them in properly. I decided to sew snaps in the shoulder pads so that they would be removable when I sent the blouse to the cleaners. Cleaners are to shoulder pads what dryers are to socks. I trusted my ability to sew the snaps into the lining of the blouse, but I didn't trust that I could sew the matching part into the shoulder pad without messing it up. I mustered up all my courage, and basted the snaps on the shoulder pad, carefully measuring their alignment with their partners. Basting allowed me to move them easily when I misjudged (which I did twice). Finally, I succeeded and was extremely proud of myself. "I did it!" I announced excitedly. Then I wore the blouse and was miserable all day. I hated the shoulder pads. They looked strange in my shoulders. And they were itchy. I complained that I would have to buy new ones and try again. I took the blouse off and only then noticed that I had managed to sew the pads in upside-down, with the Velcro rubbing against my shoulders instead of facing the seam. (I know what you're thinking. You are not only perplexed that any intelligent person could be this stupid; you are also wondering why I didn't just sew a piece of Velcro into the blouse. It never occurred to me.)

OK, you need more evidence? Dr. Camilla Benbow is one of the spatial geniuses of our time. She has written dozens of research articles about spatial abilities. Camilla invited me to teach a short-course at her university on Counseling the Gifted. The course was 5 days long. Every day, Camilla would drop me off at exactly the same spot on campus, tell me exactly how to get to the room, and every day I would get totally lost. Camilla said she never saw anyone like me.

I have been invited to speak locally on numerous occasions, and I invariably have anxiety attacks. It's not that I'm afraid of speaking. I'm a real ham. But I'm certain I'll get lost trying to get there. It doesn't matter how easy the directions are, or how many times I've been there before, for me each time is just like the first. "You can't miss it!" is the kiss of death. I once went to a speaking engagement45 minutes from my house, and, knowing my propensity for getting lost, allowed myself an extra hour. Deb Hutchinson drew me a map. I read the map upside-down. They nearly came after me with a search party. I finally found my way there 2 hours later. I've given up local presentations.